After realising last week that I needed to make some changes in the way that I organise my days, I have made a start. Admittedly not a very big start, but a start nonetheless.
Firstly, I have been going to bed earlier. Even though I feel like I have a million and one things to do, the thing I need most is more sleep. I can’t be productive if I’m exhausted.
I have *gasp* read a book!
The wee girl and I have painted, a lot :)
I have caught up on myself a (little) bit in the house; I have worked my way through the piles of laundry (five people generate a ridiculous amount!); I have sorted out a few more things in the kitchen; and I have started to meal plan again.
I have managed to schedule a few posts for the blog! I have also cut down a little on commenting, and focused on writing; trying to balance my days better… I could literally spend all day commenting, and I just can’t, however much I might like to. So, I have had to set myself some time limits and I have reprioritised certain tasks. Having said that, I have still managed to reciprocate comments (all of them, I think, huge apologies if I haven’t!), which is really important to me, so perhaps the time limits have simply provided the focus I needed?!
The biggest step forward though is that we have had several contractors round to quote for the work that needs to be done to the house before winter. So, the landscaping (read: excavation and retaining wall!) and drainage required at the back of the house will start next week. The internal electrical work starts tomorrow. We await quotes for the roof, and that work will be done once the landscaping work is complete… hopefully before it snows!
So, although I still feel that my days lack direction, and I am still not doing as much with the wee girl as I would like, I do feel that I have made a start. And, perhaps these small steps are the only way to do it.
The reality is that I do have limited time outside the day to day necessities. I can’t do everything, all the time, or even some of the time. I have to prioritise better. I have to use my time more effectively. And, I have to give myself a break.
How has your week been, what would your word of the week be?
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I’d say you’ve made a pretty huge dent hon, not just a small start! The building works alone would be enough to drive most crazy! I’m very impressed with all your achievements, and I bet the wee girl has loved having more of your attention. Congrats on getting extra Zzzzz’s xxx
Thanks lovely, the building work will be a huge pain, but it has to be done and I am so relieved that it’s started!
It is not easy, trying to do it all, is it? I think we just give ourselves objectives that are too ambitious when looking after young children. I always have a list of 20+ things I want to achieve each day but it never ever happens as there are so many day-to-day things that have to be done and are a priority. What you are calling a start is really impressive in my books. I have no idea how you manage to schedule posts! I struggle to write my 2 or 3 each week, and I have never scheduled anything! I could also spend my days commenting, but it is simply not possible, no matter how bad you feel for missing some posts sometimes. Good luck with the work on the house!
I think we do, we try to do everything, when really we can’t. And, I seem to have forgotten how to prioritise!
I think it sounds like you’re accomplishing a lot. I like your word of the week. Sometimes if I can just “start” a task the rest comes more easily! Going to bed earlier is a great idea, too. :)
That’s it isn’t it? A friend gave a great card recently, when we moved house actually, and it just said ‘begin anywhere’. Loved it!
Very promising starts :)
I have to set a timer on my phone when I’m online for different tasks or I’d lose hours on Bloglovin and Pinterest! I’ve only managed to get some blog posts scheduled because all of next weeks have a theme so I could be a little prepared with photos and ideas.
Really hope you get your roof water (and snow) tight before long!
:) x
Thank you Lisa, I’ll be relieved to know we’re water tight too :)
Definitely sounds like it has been a productive week for you and sounds like you are more focused. Getting sleep is definitely important! Well done on all you’ve managed to achieve this week and really hope you get the work done on your house very soon x
I think the sleep has helped :) Feeling productive makes me feel so much more positive x
You have been bust and have made some positive changes. I hope that you planned work on the house goes to schedule, that will hopefully help you feel like you’re going in the right direction #wotw
Getting the work started on the house has been a huge step, that has been really getting me down x
Well done on reading a book!! And all the rest of it too of course, but that’s my personal holy grail at the moment xx
Yes, it’s been amazing! Even a chapter a night makes me feel better :)
Oh, this is more than a ‘start’, this is brilliant, really positive and sounds like a mind-shift for you, too. You can’t do it all, you have stacks to do, and burning yourself out gets you nowhere. Like you, I cut down on linkies and commenting, though always reciprocate, and I’m confident I’m still commenting and reading enough, without it entirely taking over my little gaps of blogging time! Hooray to the book reading and everything else sounds fab, go you! x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Thanks Jocelyn, it’s been a much more positive week, but baby steps, getting more rest is a priority in the first instance x
Oh I’m such a procrastinator, it’s a great lesson that sometimes just getting on and doing *something* even if it only seems like a small start to you is the impetus to actually go on and achieve everything on your To Do list! You have done *loads*! I am with you on the commenting etc, too. I just had a thought earlier that it takes me about five minutes to both read and comment on a blog post, so by that standard, people who have very successful linkies with 70+ linkers must have to spend about 4+ hours reading and commenting! Puts success in context really doesn’t it?! :-) X #wotw
I know, it takes me long enough to do The Prompt, have only managed to get half way through it today, going to have to finish it tomorrow! I think you’re right, you just need to make a start, it doesn’t really matter what on :)